Abstract: An igniter for ignition over a wide air/fuel ratio range. Igniter includes an igniter body including an internal cavity disposed substantially within the igniter body, an internal spark gap disposed substantially within the internal cavity, an external spark gap disposed substantially on an exposed surface of the igniter body, and a fuel charge delivery system for delivering a fuel charge to the internal cavity.

Abstract: The present invention is a pulse valve which imparts a force to a piston means for a limited duration of time or over a given distance. This pulse valve can be incorporated into a manual control valve. The manual control valve is particularly useful in an air parking brake control system for an air parking brake system.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a housing having a plurality of ports and a flexible diaphragm movable between opposite positions for selectively connecting the ports. A central elongated stem on the diaphragm extends tightly through a hole in the housing for minimizing vibration of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A vehicle air brake system includes spring set air released parking brakes to which air is supplied through a pressure holding valve which maintains the air chambers of the parking brakes at a predetermined pressure even though the air brake system may be at operating pressures substantially lower than the predetermined pressure. When the air pressure in the air brake system falls below operational levels, the pressure holding valve responds to release the air from the parking brake chambers. The pressure holding valve is operative to exhaust the parking brake chambers to substantially zero pressure, and is also operative to charge the parking brake chambers any time the input pressure is above zero and exceeds the pressure in the parking brake chambers.

Abstract: An air brake system for a vehicle having front service and parking brakes, and rear service and parking brakes, includes separate front service, rear service and parking air systems. In the event of a failure in either service air system, normal operation of the service brake control will automatically operate the parking brakes associated with the failed service brakes.

Abstract: A vehicle air brake system includes spring set air released parking brakes to which air is supplied through a pressure holding valve which maintains the air chambers of the parking brakes at a predetermined pressure even though the air brake system may be at operating pressures substantially lower than the predetermined pressure. When the air pressure in the air brake system falls below operational levels, the pressure holding valve responds to release the air from the parking brake chambers.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system employing dual-diaphragm, spring-actuated, air-released brake actuators is provided with an inversion valve which, in the event of a brake system failure, prevents the brakes from being automatically applied while permitting controlled brake application by releasing compressed air from each actuator's spring chamber in an inverse ratio to that normally supplied from the system by the operator applied brake valve thus permitting a controlled spring brake application. The valve employs first and second pressure responsive pistons with associated valve seats to maintain the actuator springs compressed with air at supply pressure when the vehicle is normally operated. The air at supply pressure in each actuator's spring chamber is automatically ported to a lower pressure through the valve when a system failure occurs and prior to brake application to insure fast response time of the spring actuated brake.

Abstract: Disclosed below is a valve constructed with an electrical circuit extending through separable flow-control elements of the valve whereby the circuit may be opened by actual parting of the separable elements. For specific uses, the valve is characterized by structure permitting instant opening to full flow, high flow capacity, self-opening action, and latching mechanism for locking it in closed position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a positive-pressure air brake system for a highway tractor and trailer combination in which the conventional mode of tractor-to-trailer control line connection is avoided and supplanted by a sub-system in which the trailer control line pressures are developed from the tractor supply line rather than its control line through a valve assembly which responds to tractor control line pressures in relay fashion to dispense brake-operating pressures to the control line of the trailer. This valve assembly is further disclosed as having mechanism for sensing differences in the pressures of the tractor and the trailer control lines, e.g., a difference resulting from the rupture of the trailer control line, to close off the air supply to the trailer and thus bring about emergency application of the trailer brakes without any material loss of pressure in either the supply or control lines of the tractor brake system.

Abstract: A pneumatic brake system employing dual-diaphragm, spring-actuated, air-released brake actuators is provided with an inversion valve which, in the event of a brake system failure, prevents the brakes from being automatically applied while permitting controlled brake application by releasing compressed air from each actuator's spring chamber in an inverse ratio to that normally supplied from the system by the operator applied brake valve thus permitting a controlled spring brake application. The valve employs first and second pressure responsive pistons with associated valve seats to maintain the actuator springs compressed with air at supply pressure when the vehicle is normally operated. The air at supply pressure in each actuator's spring chamber is automatically ported to a lower pressure through the valve when a system failure occurs and prior to brake application to insure fast response time of the spring actuated brake.